Combined hairbrush and comb



Dec. 8, 1942. I L B TH ETAL 2,304,665

COMBINED HAIR BRUSH AND COMB Filed Dec. 28, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 2

- "In |m nlul uulnlnl nl| ||ml||ll'iuIn lllmiu millhlllml-m l FIG. 3.

\ I INVENTORfi Dec. 8; 1942. 5, s T A 2,304,665

COMBINED HAIR BRUSH AND COMB Filed D90. 28, .1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2ai/zxvgmom.

Dec. 8, 1942. L B SMITH ETAL 2,304,665

COMBINED HAIR snusu AND COMB v Filed Dec 28, 1940 s Sheets-Sheet 3INVENTORS 6). M

' ATTOfiEYS.

Patented Dec. 8, 1942 UNETED COIWBINED HAIRBRUSH AND COMB Lee B. Smithand George A. Smith, Baltimore, Md.

Application December 28, 1940, Serial No. 372,064

19 Claims.

This invention relates to brushes and combs and more particularly to acombination of the two to permit their use in unison and as an aid oneto the other.

To properly brush the hair, especially the longer hair of girls andwomen, so as to thoroughly clean it of dust and loose particles ofdandrufi, and to secure that sheen and luster which is so desirable, isoften very difficult owing to the natural tendency of the hair to matagainst the head under the pressure of the brush, and also for the ends,unsupported against the head, to fall or push away from the brush, whichmeans that thorough brushing of the hair, so necessary for proper careand cleanliness, is often indifierently or improperly performed. This isespecially noticeable in the prevailing style in which girls and youngwomen wear their hair at shoulder length with the hair smooth on thehead and only waved or curled at the ends, and where a sheen andsmoothness in the straight or unwaved portion of the hair is sonecessary to present a neat appearance.

Many attempts have been made to combine a comb a with a brush as an aidin the proper care of the hair. These attempts have met with butindifferent results mainly due to the fixed position of the comb, theangle at which the comb is placed with relation to the bristles of thebrush and also to the shape of the comb itself.

The object of our invention is to provide a comb in combination with abrush to facilitate the more thorough brushing and cleaning of the hair.

A further object is to have the comb movably mounted on the brush, itsnormal position being at the side of the brush with the ends of theteeth of the comb raised slightly above the ends of the bristles in thebrush, to enable the brush to be used with the comb in this positionwithout engaging the comb.

A still further object is to have the comb, or the movable holder towhich the comb is attached, arranged so it may be manipulated by thefinger of the hand holding the brush, a pressure by the fingerdepressing the comb and bringing it obliquely under the bristles of thebrush to engage and raise the hair, thus bringing the hair into closercontact with the brush. The amount of pressure on the comb regulates thedepth to which it engages the hair, while a releasing of this pressureautomatically and gradually disengages the comb until it is entirelyfree.

A still further object is to have the comb readily removable from theholder, and to have the holder reversible in order that the comb may beoperated on either side of the brush to facilitate its use in eitherbackward or forward brushing of the hair.

A still further object is to have the comb so' shaped that when itengages the hair, the hair will naturally ride up in the comb intocloser contact with the bristles of the brush, this action being thesame whether small or heavy strands of the 'hair are engaged.

The invention consists of the novel construction and arrangement of theparts and combination of parts hereinafter more fully set forth in thefollowing specification, and pointed out in detail in the appendedclaims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of thebrush with comb attached and in theraised or normal position.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a front end elevation of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a View similar to Figure 3, but with the comb depressed andforced inwardly.

Figure 5 is a section on ure 2.

Figure 6 is a bottom view of the movable portion of the comb holder.

Figure 7 is a top plan View of the brush, similar to- Figure 1, but withthe movable portion of the comb holder and the comb removed.

Figure 8 is a top view of the comb.

Figure 9 is a section, in perspective, of two teeth of the comb betweenthe lines 99 and 9A9A.

Figure 10 is a top plan View of a modification of the portion of thecomb holder which is attached to the brush.

Figure 11 is a section on the line ll-H of Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a bottom plan view of the holder shown in Figure 10.

Figure 13 is a top plan view of a further modification of the part ofthe comb holder which is attached to the brush.

Figure 14 is a side elevation of Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a top plan view of a brush with a handle at either end andwith the attached part of the comb holder in place.

Figure 16 is a side elevation of a further modification with the comband the removable portion of the holder united in one part.

Figure 17 is an enlarged view of the end portions of two teeth of amodification of the comb.

the line 5-5 of Fig- Referring to the accompanying drawings forming partof this specification, and in which like reference numerals designatelike 29 the back of the brush, 2i the handle and 22 the bristles. Thebrush shown is long and narrow which is the preferred shape, although myinvention could be adapted to any standard type hair brush. A pin 23with a head 24 is imbedded in the center of the back 29 with the head 24of the pin slightly raised from the back. The bottom portion 25 of thecomb holder is held in place on the back of the brush by the head 24 ofthe pin 23 which latter fits the slot 26, permitting the holder to befreely slid on or off. When in place the part 25 is held securely inposition by the bent over spring catches 21 and 28, which may bereleased by raising them from their grip on the edge of the brush back.

This bottom part 25 of the comb holder besides being provided with theslot 25 and the spring catches 2'! and 28 for attaching to the back ofthe brush is provided with the two sides 29 and 39 folded over at rightangles to the center portion, and the end 3| curved to fit the upperpart of the holder and set to form a stop for the upward movement ofthis part. This upper part 32 of the holder is provided with the twosides 33 and 54 spaced and shaped to fit neatly between the sides 29 and39 of the bottom 25. The free end of the upper part 32 is bent downwardand is provided with two spring catches 35 and 31, while a rest 35 isstamped out and folded downward as shown. The upper part 52 is fitted inthe lower part 25 as shown and joined with it by means of the hinge pin39, which also passes through the coiled spring whose two free ends bearagainst the upper and lower hinged parts respectively. This spring isfor the purpose of holding the upper part 32 in a raised positionagainst the stop 3|, unlesspushed downward by pressure. The fasteningpin 23 being placed inthe center of the back 20, the holder may bereversed, when it is desired to brush and comb the hair in the oppositedirection, or for the use of a left-handed person.

The special comb 4| is preferably shaped as shown in the drawings and isprovided at its upper edge with the shoulder 42 of a size and shape tofit the catches 3B and 31 of the holder into which it slides and bywhich it is held securely in place. The teeth 43 of the comb are curvedand bent as shown, and the sharpness of the bend and the amount ofcurvature would be as found most desirable. Also the openings 44 betweenthe teeth continue up beyond the bend.

In Figures 10, 11 and 12 is shown a modification of the lower part ofthe comb holder, which is attached to the brush. In this modificationthe holder is attached permanently to the brush, and is made reversibleor revoluble so the comb may be used on either side of the brush.Describing this modification in detail, the numeral 45 designates thebase which is directly attached to'the back of the brush. This base 45is made of a length to fit the width of the brush to which it is to beattached. This is accomplished by means of the bent over ends 45 and 41which fit on the sides of the back of the brush and which in turn areheld in place with the sharp inwardly-projecting points 48, shown inFigures 11 and 12, and which sink into the sides of the back. Therevoluble part 49 is attached to the base 45 by means of the rivet 50,which fits t'ghtly in the base, but loosely enough in the fit) revolublepart to permit free movement of this part. The revoluble part 49attached to move freely on the base 45 is cut inwardly at one corner toform the spring or yielding portion 5! which is provided with adepression 52, adapted to spring into the apertures 53 in the base 45 tolock the revoluble part 49 in position. By means of the catch 52 and theapertures 53, the part 49, while turning freely around the pivot 59 inthe base 45, can be locked in either of the two opposite positionsagainst accidental movement. Except for the modifications shown, thepart 49 is the same as the standard part first described.

In Figures 13 and 14 is shown still another modification of the lowerpart of the comb holder. In this modification the holder is made toclamp on any brush of a near size or shape. This is accomplished bymeans of gripping teeth and a set screw. Describing this modification indetail, the numeral 54 designates the base of the modified holder part,55 the free end of the base folded at right angles to the base and 55the special gripping teeth. The stop guard 57: is similar to thestandard part but has a portion 58 cut free and bent back and downwardat right angles to support the set screw 59, which fits in a threadedaperture in the downwardly projecting flange of the portion 58. Thisholder can be attached to the back of any brush of the proper size andshape to fit between the teeth 55 and the point of the set screw 59, andthe holder is held in place by simply screwing the set screw tight. Inthis construction it would be a very simple matter to attach or detachthe holder and also to reverse its position on the brush.

In Figure 15 is shown a modification of our invention in which a specialbrush provided with two handles is employed. These handles are at eitherend of the brush with the bristle portion between. Describing thisspecial brush in detail, the numeral 50 designates the central orbristle portion of the brush, 6! the handle for a right-handed personmaking backward strokes and 62 the handle for a right-handed personmaking forward strokes. The handles would obviously be used in exactlythe opposite order by a left-handed person; The comb holder 63 would befastened solidly and non-reversibly to this brush, as the position ofthe comb could be reversed by changing handles.

In Figure 16 is shown a combination of the upper part of the comb holderand the comb, joined to form one part. In this combination the numeral54 designates the portion which would normally be the upper part of thecomb holder and is shaped similar to this part, while 65 designates thenormal comb portion. In this design the entire part would preferably bemade of suitable plastic or hard rubber, the main object beingcheapness. It would be attached to the lower part of the holder in thenormal manner, but obviously could not readily be changed.

In Figure l? is shown an enlarged view of the ends of two modified teethof the comb. It will be observed that in these teeth, after increasingin width from their points, they again decrease, becoming narrower, butadded strength is supplied by increased thickness. The purpose of thisdesign is to provide a more holding effect on the hair which has enteredbetween the teeth of the comb.

Having described in detail the construction of our invention, we shallnow describe its operation.

The brush with the holder attached and the comb in place will normallyhold the comb slightly higher than the ends of the bristles, so it maybe used for regular brushing in a normal manner. However, when it isdesired to get the full benefit of the combination, the brush is graspedin the right hand in the usual manner and the forefinger allowed to restlightly on the upper movable part of the comb holder. This will be aperfectly natural and easy position for the hand. Starting from theforehead, the hair is brushed backward in the usual manner, a slightpressure of the forefinger on the holder will force the comb into thehair, which is lifted against the bristles of the brush by this action.The pressure on the holder can be gauged and regulated by the feeling ofpull on the hair, the harder the finger pressure the greater the strandsof hair raised against the bristles. Also by lessening the pressure, theamount of hair in the comb will be reduced, and the comb may beautomatically raised from the hair entirely by fully releasing thepressure of the finger. In this way an absolute and easy control canalways be maintained on the depth to which the comb enters the hair andthe pressure of the hair against the bristles of the brush, with theconsequent pull. During this brushing a great depth can be reached intothe hair, giving a full sweeping efiect and a much better cleaningaction than can be accomplished in any other manner. And always, at thefinger tip, is full control, making it possible to either lighten orincrease this sweeping action or to release it entirely, merely by themovement of the finger. If it is desired to brush the hair from beneath,at the neckline and forward, the comb holder is reversed on th brush,putting the comb on the opposite side, and then the procedure would bethe same.

Proceeding in this manner the hair of the entire head may quickly andeasily be brushed. freeing it of all dust and loose dandrufi, andbringing out the full sheen and beauty. Also, a loose smoothness with awell brushed appearance, which is so necessary for certain styles, canbe quickly and easily attained.

Having thus described our invention what we claim is:

1. The combinat on with a brush. of a comb holder secured to said brushand held normally in a set position by a spring, and a comb removablyfitted in said holder and adapted to be regulated. with referenc to theproximity to bristles of said brush by pressure and adapted to bereturned to it normal position upon removal of said pressure.

2. The combination with a brush, of a comb holder reversibly secured tosaid brush the axis of reversal being perpendicular to the back of thebrush, and a comb removably fitted in said holder and adapted to beregulated with reference to the proximity to the bristles of said brush.

3. The combination with a brush, of a comb holder reversibly secured tosaid brush and held normally in a set position by a spring, means tohold the comb holder in the adjusted position, a comb removably fittedin said holder and adapted to be regulated with reference to thedistance between the comb teeth and the bristles of said brush.

4. The combination with a brush, of a comb holder reversibly secured tosaid brush and adapted to be raised and lowered to change the positionof the teeth of the comb relative to the bristles of the brush, the axisof reversal being perpendicular to the back of the brush, and a combremovably fitted in said comb holder.

5. The combination with a brush, of a plate reversible secured to saidbrush, a comb holder se-' cured to said plate and adapted to be reversedtherewith, a comb removably secured in said holder and adapted to beregulated to change the distance between the comb teeth and the bristlesof the brush.

6. The combination with a brush, a plate reversibly secured to saidbrush, a comb holder hinged to said plate, a comb removably fitted insaid comb holder and adapted to be regulated with reference to theproximity of the teeth of the comb and the bristles of the brush whenthe comb holder is moved on its hinge.

'7. The combination with a brush, of a comb holder revolubly secured tosaid brush, and a comb removably fitted in said holder and adapted to beregulated with reference to the proximity to the bristles of said brush.

8. The combination with a brush, of a comb holder revolubly secured tosaid brush, means to hold the comb holder in the adjusted position, a

comb removably fitted in said holder and adapted to be regulated withreference to the distance between the comb teeth and the bristles ofsaid brush.

9. The combination with a brush, of a comb holder revolubly secured tosaid brush and adapted to be raised and lowered to change the positionof the teeth of the comb relative to the bristles of the brush, and acomb removably fitted in said comb holder.

10. The combination with a brush, of a plate revolubly secured to saidbrush, a comb holder secured to said plate and adapted to revolvetherewith, a comb removably secured in said holder and adapted to beregulated to change the distance between the comb teeth and the bristlesof the brush.

11. The combination with a brush, a plate revolubly secured to saidbrush, a comb holder hinged'to said plate, and adapted to revolvetherewith, a comb removably fitted in said comb holder and adapted to beregulated with reference to the proximity of the teeth of the comb andthe bristles of the brush when the comb holder is moved on its hinge.

12. The combination with a brush, of a comb attached to said brush andplaced at the side of said brush with the teeth pointing downward alongthe line of the bristles and then bent sharply to extend obliquelyacross the ends of the bristles.

13. The combination with a brush, of a comb holder secured to saidbrush, and a comb removably fitted in said holder, said holder normallymaintaining the comb in a raised position, but being depressible underpressure, and returning to its normal position upon removal ofthe'pressure.

14. The combination with a brush, of a comb holder secured to saidbrush, and a comb removably fitted in said holder, said holder normallymaintaining the comb in a raised position, said comb holder beingdepressible under pressure and in its downward movement bringing thecomb obliquely under the bristles of the brush.

15. The combination with a brush, of a comb hinged to said brush andheld normally in a set position by a spring and adapted to move by theaction of the hinge from the side obliquely under the bristles of saidbrush.

16. The combination with a brush of a hinged comb holder reversiblysecured to said brush by one leaf of the hinge, said secured leaf of thehinge being provided with a guard to prevent opening of the free leaf ofthe hinge beyond a set position.

1'7. The combination with a brush of a hinged comb holder reversiblysecured to said brush by one leaf of the hinge, said secured leaf of thehinge being provided with a guard to prevent opening of the free leaf ofthe hinge beyond a set position, and a sprin adapted to normallymaintain the hinge open to the set position, but permitting the closingof the hinge under pressure.

18. The combination with a brush of a hinged comb holder reversiblysecured to said brush by one leaf of the hinge, said secured leaf of thehinge being provided with a catch to hold it in the determined positionwith relation to the back of the brush, said secured leaf of the hingebeing provided with a guard to prevent opening of the free leaf of thehinge beyond a set position, a spring adapted to normally maintain thehinge open in the set position, but, permitting the closing of the hingeunder pressure, the spring automatically opening the hinge again to theset posi-' tion upon the removal of pressure, and the free end of thefree leaf of the hinge being provided with means for attaching a combthereto.

19. The combination with a brush of a hinged comb holder reversiblysecured to said brush by one leaf of a hinge, said secured leaf of thehinge being provided with a oath to hold it in the determined positionwith relation to the back of the brush, said secured leaf of the hingebeing provided with a guard to prevent opening of the free leaf of thehinge beyond a set position, a spring adapted to normally maintain thehinge open in the set position, but permitting the closing of the hingeunder pressure, the spring automatically opening the hinge again to theset position upon the removal of pressure, and the free end of the freeleaf of the hinge being provided with means for attaching a combthereto; and a comb adapted to be attached to the free end of the combholder and shaped to extend diagonally across the bristles of the brushwhen the comb holder is in a depressed position.

LEE B. SMITH. GEORGE A. SMITH.

